Summer Solstice Google Doodle shines down

Things you might also like

Google Doodle number 110 - come on down. That's right, the Google Doodlers are at it again (making it an average of a new Doodle every 1.5 days so far this year) but at least this time it's a significant occasion that it's celebrating - not just an obscure birthday for somebody long gone.

It's Summer Solstice you see and to mark the date Google has handed Doodle duties over to Japanese artist Takashi Murakami who has created this effort entitled The First Day of Summer.

The "Superflat" artist is an expert in pop culture and the media and we have to say we dig his funky anime-themed Doodle.

The summer solstice occurs exactly when the earth's and the moon's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun, at its maximum of 23° 26' - this year that will happen at 5.16pm in the northern hemisphere. It's also the day with the most hours of sunlight and for some, signals the start of summer.